Every Christmas Eve, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) utilizes its advanced technology to track Santa Claus as he embarks on his worldwide gift-giving journey. For 68 years, NORAD has been monitoring Santa’s movements, bringing joy and excitement to families all over the globe.
NORAD, a joint military agency of the United States and Canada, is responsible for various defense operations, including maritime warning, aerospace control, and aerospace warning. While its primary duty is to safeguard North American airspace from missile and air attacks, it also takes on the important task of tracking Santa Claus.
The official NORAD website proudly claims to be the only organization in the world equipped and certified to monitor Santa’s whereabouts. Their accidental tradition of tracking Santa continues to this day, stating, We’re the only organization that has the technology, the qualifications, and the people to do it. And we love it!
Utilizing fighter jets, powerful radar systems, and satellite technologies, NORAD keeps a close eye on Santa as he travels across the South Pacific, Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Families can witness Santa’s global journey in 3D, thanks to the Santa Tracker program. Google also offers live trackers that allow users to follow Saint Nick’s annual adventure from the North Pole.
Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon Press Secretary, expressed that tracking Santa is one of NORAD’s special missions on Christmas Eve. This year marks the 68th anniversary of this joyous tradition, and on December 24, children and families worldwide can call NORAD’s live operators to inquire about Santa’s current location.
To follow Santa’s journey on Christmas Eve, interested individuals can access the map created by the North American Aerospace Defense Command. By installing the Santa Tracker app on their Android or iOS smartphones or visiting the noradsanta.org website, users can stay updated on Santa’s recent and upcoming travel destinations.
Live coverage of Santa’s global journey will also be available on USA TODAY’s website on December 24, starting at around 7 a.m. ET. Additionally, NORAD’s tracking can be followed on their YouTube channel. Social media users can stay informed by searching for the hashtag #NORADTracksSanta or following the account @NoradSanta on various platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Those seeking up-to-date information can also send an email to [email protected].
Santa will face no obstacles entering the United States this year, as the U.S. Department of Agriculture has granted him a transit pass. Reindeers are permitted to enter and exit the country through any U.S. border port between 6 p.m. on December 24 and 6 a.m. on December 25, local time.
The Santa tracker originated in 1955 when a Colorado newspaper mistakenly printed a phone number for Santa that directed children to the military center’s hotline. Since then, the tradition has grown, and now Google also operates its own Santa Tracker. This interactive platform allows visitors to keep tabs on Santa’s current location, estimate his arrival time, view images of his journey, and more.
To access Google’s Santa Tracker, interested users can visit their official website at santatracker.google.com.
With NORAD and Google’s tracking systems in place, the magic of Santa Claus comes alive for families worldwide. As Christmas approaches, children and adults alike eagerly await the moment when they can witness Santa’s journey across continents, spreading joy to every home he visits.
